Chutney soca singer GI (Imran Beharry) is exploring his full potential as an artiste. Not only is he experimenting with new genres for 2025, but he is also fully investing in his entrepreneurial interests as a mas band leader.
For Carnival 2025, GI has teamed up with a group of stakeholders to diversify its ten-year old J’Ouvert band from CIP J’Ouvert to CIP Mas, incorporating Monday night mas and, "pretty mas" on Carnival Tuesday.
[caption id="attachment_1108214" align="alignnone" width="768"] A model shows off a costume from CIP Mas 2025 Carnival presentation. - [/caption]
San Fernando is the place of choice for the unleashing of these three all-inclusive packages. The aim is not only about reviving the mas in the second city, but bringing a sexy, classy and affordable experience, south has never witnessed before.
Fanning the flames of resurgence would be the "fireman" himself, Bunji Garlin making his historic south debut and performing on one of CIP’s J’Ouvert morning music trucks in the streets.
The idea is for CIP mas to take over San Fernando in a full blaze of colour and glory, come Carnival 2025, GI promised.
Stakeholders are hoping to attract 1,200 and more masqueraders to play in the band, Savage Nation, which has four sections.
Winning a prize would be a plus, but having fun in this its first foray, is being underscored.
CIP launched segments of its bold and daring J’Ouvert and Tuesday mas costumes at its new headquarters at Twin Walls, Gulf View on September 4.
[caption id="attachment_1108211" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A model shows off a costume from CIP Mas 2025 Carnival presentation. -[/caption]
A section titled Mocking Gay is a magnificent representation of defiance and sacrifice, in black and gold. The fiery orange and red Phoenix section represents a symbol of hope, of life, and of better things to come. Blue Jay, which as the names suggests is primarily blue, is about unleashing the inner passion of masqueraders, while Indigo, the fourth section, represents a mystical borderland of wisdom, self-mastery and a spiritual awakening. Dark, multi-colours have been selected to enhance the mystery of this costume.
Monday night costumes will be launched at Offside, Southpark Mall on September 23, the day before Republic Day holiday.
Only female costumes from the Savage Nation band were on display on September 4.
GI, marketing manager of the band explained that was a deliberate strategy.
“Woman is boss. We men must see about our women first before we can do anything. We held back the male costume to encourage men to come into the mas camp and see what we have to offer. Once women are playing, men are there with them.”
His wife Natasha, band manager, said the new headquarters is very sophisticated and modern and will open for the public to come in and view the designs, register and ask questions.
She explained the decision to expand is two-fold, in commemoration of CIP's tenth anniversary in 2025, coupled with the desire to bring about a resurgence of mas in San Ferna
